Resolution against the draining of Burnaby Lake to be sent to Victoria, following similar petition by residents of New Westminster. Another to “earnestly petition” the Legislative Assembly to hasten the completion of the railway to the Okanagan.
This transcript was made in 2015 by Transcribimus volunteers Margaret Sutherland
and Joy Marie Vasquez
original handwritten minutes here
City of Vancouver Archives
Series 23-A Volume 2 pages 734-746
[volume 2 page 734]
Vancouver March 18th ’89
The Council met on Monday March 18th 1889 at 7:30 P. M.
Present His Worship, the Mayor and all of the Aldermen.
The Minutes of last meeting were read and adopted.
Communications
The following communications were read and referred to the Board of Works.
1. From Thos. Mayne, re Gore Avenue.
2. From D. A. Matheson et al re Lane in B. 36, 541
3. From Robert Vincent et al re Sidewalks in Yale Town.
4. From H. T. Ceperley re Box drain on Alberni Street.
5. From R. G. Tatlow et al re Lane Block 12, 541.
6. From R. I. Mizony et al re Nelson Street West.
7. From J. J. Irwin re roots on Block 101, 541.
8. From E.R. Bodwell et al re Sidewalks on Georgia St.
9. From B. Springer et al, re acquiring a portion of lot Nine Block 5, 6, & 7.
10. A. S. Block et al re Robson Street Improvements
11. Ths. Hooper et al re Lane in Block 35, 541.
12. From Frank Tilley asking permission to move his building from Lot 2, Block 9, 191 to Lot 5, Block 40, 196.
From John Hoggart, Post Master General acknowledging receipt of a Communication addressed to D. Chisholm, MP. From His Worship, the Mayor suggesting that when making new arrangements for the mail Service between Victoria and San Francisco, provision be made that the
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Steamers employed be of British origin. Filed.
From E. B. Biggar, Montreal, asking the City to allow him $6.00 a page for printing a sketch of the City of Vancouver in his Magazine. Referred to Finance.
From Donald Chisholm Esq M.P. Enclosing communication from H. B. Small Deputy Minister of Agriculture re Immigration Station at Vancouver and the appointment of an Agent. Filed.
From D. McGregor, New Westminster enclosing a copy of a resolution passed by the Citizens protesting against the draining of Burnaby Lake. Laid on the Table.
From the City Clerk notifying the Council that the contract for burning on the Park Road was not yet signed. Referred to Park Com.
Reports F. W. & L. No 6
The Fire, Water and Light Committee met on Wednesday March 13th 1889 at 3 P. M.
Present Aldermen Oppenheimer, Whetham and Brighouse.
We beg to recommend:
1. That the following accounts be paid:
Vancouver Transfer Co. Drayage $1.00
J. Wolfe, Scavenger Work 4.00
Crowder & Penzer, Hay 9.85
Palmer Bros. Oats etc. 20.78
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Telephone Co. Night Service etc. $66.00
J. Eggert, Repairing Clock 2.00
Charles Nelson, Drugs 3.50
Vancouver Electric Ill Co. Street Lights etc. 242.11
John Campbell, Firing Engine 5.00
John Abrams, Firing Engine etc. 12.50
2. That the President of the Telephone Co. be notified that the arrangements entered into with his company for the payment of a night telephone service will terminate at the end of the present month.
3. That the Chairman of this Committee be authorized to have the doors of the Fire Hall No. 1 widened.
4. That a communication be sent to the Vancouver Water Works Co. embodying the request made by the residents on the South Side of False Creek for an extension of the Water service to that portion of the City.
5. That the City Clerk be instructed to have blank forms printed for the Fire Department for the Fire Engineers to report to the Chief of the Brigade the condition of their engines.
6. That the Chimney on the Kitchen of the Jail be raised to a sufficient height above the ridge of the roof.
In reference to the petition of the residents on Seymour Street in the vicinity of
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Messrs Irving and Strachan’s Furniture Factory, the Chief of Police reports that he has investigated the case and cannot learn of any legal cause for the complaints embodied in such petition.
The Matter being outside of the By-Laws of the City can only be tested in the Civil Courts.
Sgd. I. Oppenheimer, Chairman
Moved by Alderman Brewer seconded by Alderman Costello. That the Report of the Fire, Water & Light Committee be adopted. Carried.
Works No 8
The Board of Works met on Thursday March 14th 1889.
Present Alderman Brighouse, Brewer, and Oppenheimer.
We beg to recommend:
1. That the following accounts be paid:
H. Connacher, Water Street $432.60
do Lane in Block 14, 196 70.00
W.P. Reardon, Drake Street 67.17
D. J. McDonald, Hastings Street West 737.00
Goodmurphy & McLellan, Pender St. 309.48
Royal City Planning Mills Co. Lumber 67.72
Thos. Dunn & Co. Supplies 55.40
J. McAllister Wedges 2.00
Edward Flachiff Park Road 17.00
John Robinson, Blacksmithing .70 cts
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C. P. R. Co. Gravel $75.00
Hastings Saw Mill Co. Lumber 108.99
H. Blyth, Drake Street 6.00
J. Cruickshanks, Drake Street 4.00
J. Mahoney, Drake Street 4.00
P. Atkinson, Drake Street 4.00
Boyd & Clandening, Georgia St. 17.80
D. B. Charleson, Georgia St. 18.00
Queen Bros, Georgia St. 4.80
P. Roach, Georgia St. 16.00
W. J. Lapoint, Georgia St. 2.40
John Williams, Park Road 22.40
H. McDonald, Columbia Av. 901.84
2. That half of Lots 18, 19, 20 & 21, Block 9, 182A be purchased for $600.00 for the purpose of widening Hastings Street East.
3. That the well at the foot of Granville Street Bridge be filled up.
4. That in future each tenderer be required to submit the names of his bondsmen when sending in his tender.
5. That a Committee of the Board of Works be appointed to negotiate for the purchase of the corner of Lot 9, Block 4, O. G. T. and Lot 9, Block 5, O. G. T. on Cambie Street.
6. That the Plan of the old Granville Townsite prepared by Messrs Garden and Hermon be sent to the Local Government for confirmation.
7. That a rock crusher be purchased.
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8. That the City Engineer be instructed to make the necessary repairs on Jackson Avenue.
Tenders have been received for the construction of an 8 ft sidewalk on Westminster Road to the City Boundary.
We beg to recommend that the tender of D. J. McDonald be accepted.
The Estimates for Street Improvements for the current year have been submitted and referred to the Finance Committee.
Sgd. S. Brighouse, Chairman
Moved by Alderman Whetham seconded by Alderman Horne. That the Board of Works Report be adopted. Carried.
Finance No 8
The Finance Committee met on Friday March 15th 1889 at 8 P. M. all of the Members being present.
We beg to recommend:-
1. That the following accounts be paid:
Finance Committee
Carswell & Co. Dominion Statutes 2.15
R. W. Armstrong, Registration of Deed 3.05
Board of Works
Starrett & Leatherdale, Street Work 2.00
Royal City Planing Mills Co. 67.72
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Thos. Dunn & Co. Supplies for Park $55.40
J. McAllister, Wedges 2.00
E. Flachiff, Park Road 17.00
John Robinson, Saw Filing .70 cts
C. P. R. Co. Gravel 75.00
Hastings Saw Mill Co., Lumber 108.99
P. Atkinson, Drake Street 4.00
J. Mahoney, Drake Street 4.00
J. Cruickshanks, Drake Street 4.00
H. Blyth, Drake Street 6.00
Boyd & Clandening, Georgia St. 17.80
D. B. Charleson, Georgia St. 18.00
Queen Bros., Georgia St. 4.80
P. Roach, Georgia St. 16.00
W. J. Lapoint, Georgia St. 2.40
John Williams, Park Road 22.40
H. Connacher, Water St. 432.60
do Lane in Block 14, 196 70.00
D. J. McDonald, Hastings St. West 737.00
W. P. Reardon, Drake Street 67.17
Goodmurphy & McLellan, Pender St. 309.48
H. McDonald, Columbia Av. 901.84
Fire, Water & Light
Vancouver Transfer Co. 1.00
J. Wolfe, Scavenger Work 4.00
Crowder & Penzer, Hay 9.85
Palmer Bros. Oats etc. 20.78
Telephone Co. Rents 66.00
J. Eggert, fixing clock 2.00
Charles Nelson, Drugs 3.50
Electric Illuminating Co. 242.11
John Campbell, firing Engine 5.00
John Abrams, firing Engine etc. 12.50
2. That funds be provided for the following recommended by the F. W. & L. Committee:
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(a) For raising the chimney on the kitchen of the jail.
(b) For widening the doors of Fire Hall No. 1
(c) For printing blank forms for the Fire Engineers to send in their reports on.
3. That there are no funds available for the purchase of Lots 18, 19, 20 & 21 in Block 9, District Lot 182A, recommended by the Board of Works for straightening Hastings Street East.
4. That funds be provided for the construction of a six foot sidewalk on Westminster Road to the City Boundary and that the Board of Works be asked to alter the width of the Sidewalk tendered on in accordance therewith.
In reply to the advertisement calling for applications for the position of City Accountant the following were received:
From Wm. Cargill M. H. Hirschberg, Alex Miller, J. J. Cowderoy, B. I. Short, Henry W. Warren, William L. Keene, A. A. Apenes, Copel Rowley, R. L. Stone, F. J. Ward, A. Howie, A. Gates, C. Tetley, P. McNeal, Harry Inglis, Arthur Sheperd, and E. J. Curron.
Your Committee has unanimously decided to recommend the appointment of C. Tetley to the position at a salary of $100.00 per month.
Sgd. W. F. Salsbury, Chairman
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Moved by Alderman Oppenheimer seconded by Alderman Lefevre. That Clause 3 of the Finance Report relating to Lots 18, 19, 20 and 21, Block 9, 182A be referred back to the Board of Works. Carried.
Moved by Alderman Brighouse seconded by Alderman Whetham. That the report is amended be adopted. Carried.
Motions
Moved by Alderman Horne seconded by Alderman Salsbury. That His Worship the Mayor telegraph to Hon. John Carling, Minister of Agriculture urging the immediate establishment of the Immigration Office and Agent in this City as we are losing dozens of Settlers daily. Carried.
Moved by Alderman Costello seconded by Alderman Clark. Whereas an application has been made to the Legislative Assembly of this Province for an Act to incorporate a Company to reclaim Lands under Burnaby Lake.
And whereas said Lake is adjacent to the City of Vancouver and is a resort for the Citizens of that place as well as for those of New Westminster and vicinity
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for purposes of recreation at all Seasons of the year and also adds very materially to the beauty and attractiveness of the surrounding country.
And whereas the Brunette River flowing from said Lake to the Fraser River can at a small outlay be made manageable for pleasure boats and small craft enabling pleasure parties to make said lake a Yachting and Rowing Centre for the District.
And whereas the reclaiming of said lands will not add sufficiently to the Agricultural lands of the District to compensate in any degree for the loss which will follow from the drainage of said lake to the inhabitants of the places above mentioned and further while such other large tracts of land suitable for Agricultural purposes nearer to the centres of population are yet in a state of nature it would be unjust to permit such an Act as that applied for to pass.
Be it therefore resolved by the Mayor and Aldermen in Council Assembled that this Council desires to enter an earnest protest against the passing of the said Act.
And be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be engrossed, signed by the Mayor and City Clerk with the Corporation Seal affixed and forwarded to the Members for this District for presentation to the House. Carried.
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Moved by Alderman Clark seconded by Alderman Salsbury.
Whereas a Railway Company for the purpose of building a railroad to the Okanagan District has been incorporated and has received assistance for the construction of this said road.
And whereas it is most important that this road should be constructed at as early a period as possible in order that the owners of the rich agricultural lands in the district may be enabled to supply this City and District with its bread stuffs and other products and secure a trade for their surplus of same to China and Japan before trade for their Channels for the supply of these demands will be opened up with places outside of our Province.
And whereas it will be difficult to divert such trade channels if once established and it will be to the interests of the Province at large that the above road be at once constructed to enable said land owners to be first in the field with their products.
Be it therefore resolved by the Mayor and Aldermen in Council assembled:
That this Council earnestly requests the Legislative Assembly to take the question of the construction of said railway into immediate consideration and furnish such assistance as possible to hasten the completion of the same.
And be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the
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members for this District and the members for Yale District. Carried.
Moved by Alderman Oppenheimer seconded by Alderman McConnell. Whereas the Government of British Columbia have granted to the Corporation of the City of Vancouver One hundred and sixty acres of land for the purpose of a Public Park in the Townsite of Hastings.
And whereas it is the intention of the said Corporation to improve and beautify said lands during the coming summer thereby increasing very much the value of the lands remaining in the possession of said Government.
And whereas this Park does not adjoin the boundary of the City of Vancouver but is distant therefrom about forty six and one half chains.
And whereas the land lying between said Eastern Boundary of the City and the said Park is the property of the Province and it would increase the value of said provincial lands very much if some streets were opened up from said Park to said Boundary connecting with same of the Streets within the limits of the City of Vancouver.
Be it therefore resolved by the Mayor and Aldermen in Council Assembled.
That the Government of the Province be respectfully requested
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to open up some streets from said Park to said City Boundary and place a sum in the estimates for doing the same.
And be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Honorable Chief Commissioner of Lands and Works. Carried.
The Council then adjourned.
J.W. Horne ,Chairman
Thos. F. McGuigan, City Clerk
